Reply to this post | See parent post | Go Back

View Post [edit]

Poster:	patourkid	Date:	November 24, 2007 07:13:05am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: 'China Doll' --- anyone care to share their thoughts?

This song was originally titled "The Suicide Song" at least thats what " The Complete Annotated" book says. No reference where this name came from so I would be intrested to see who was quoted as calling it that. I also remember reading somewhere else that this song was about suicide, the other piece I remember reading went more into details. But i don't recall where it was that I read the other story.

Reply to this post

Reply [edit]

Poster:	patkelley	Date:	November 24, 2007 07:52:31am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: 'China Doll' --- anyone care to share their thoughts?

I've heard or read that it's sort of about a person who thinks about suicide then decides against it. In terms of the music, it makes sense if you consider that most of the song is kind of dark and in minor chords and then for the last verse ("Take up your China Doll...) switches to a brighter, happier sound. I love this song.

Reply to this post

Reply [edit]

Poster:	NebraskaJack	Date:	November 24, 2007 08:01:53am
Forum:	GratefulDead	Subject:	Re: 'China Doll' --- anyone care to share their thoughts?

Interesting, I was just thinking about this last week. I think the China Doll is anything fragile i.e. life, relationship, society, sanity. Even when it's been dropped once and cracked a bit, it's still worth having and cherishing.